Australia’s top epidemiologists have slammed Daniel Andrews’ ‘inconsistent’ mask mandate that requires only some students to wear one.
The Victorian premier scrapped the indoor mask mandate for all but a handful of areas starting 11.59pm on Friday, but kept it for primary schools.
Students in years 3 to 6 are required to wear a mask indoors at school, while children in Prep to Year 2 are exempt from the mandate.
Experts slammed the decision to ask only some primary school students to wear a mask at school as ‘inconsistent’ and lacking evidence.
Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth accused Mr Andrews of using the mask mandate to boost vaccine rates in children.
Students in high school and years 3 to 6 are required to wear a mask indoors at school, while children in Prep to Year 2 are exempt from the mandate (pictured, students in Melbourne)
Australia’s top epidemiologists have slammed Daniel Andrews’ (pictured) ‘inconsistent’ mask mandate that demands only some children to wear one
‘I haven’t been a big fan of masks in primary school age children and that’s because the disease is mild in that age group and we know the disease spreads far more readily in adults,’ Dr Coatsworth told the Today Show.
‘In my view, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. It does trouble me that this is a sort mandate in a way to create the impetus for people to go and get their kids vaccinated when, really, it should be a choice.’
About 54 per cent of children aged five to 11 are vaccinated against Covid in Victoria, compared with 93.9 per cent aged 12 and over.
Other experts argue requiring some students to wear masks while their older siblings are exempt from the rule is impractical and unfounded.
Mr Andrews pointed to lower vaccination rates as a driver behind the decision and the risk of the virus spreading from children to the elderly or immunocompromised.
Australian National University epidemiologist Professor Peter Collignon reiterated the spread of Covid in schools was not a major concern to health experts.
‘They’re more a reflection of the community, and children are at less of a risk than 20-30-year-olds, so… we’ve got quite a lot of inconsistency if we make children, young children, wear masks when they’re less of a risk both to themselves and others than adults,’ Professor Collignon told The Australian.
The professor recently argued reduced vaccine effectiveness against the virus meant mask mandates caused more trouble than they were worth.
‘When you’ve already got 94 per cent [of over 16s double vaccinated] – the question is ‘do we need to go further?” he told Daily Mail Australia.
Experts argue that requiring some students to wear masks while their younger siblings are exempt from the rule is impractical and unfounded (pictured, secondary students in Victoria)
He called for vaccine and mask mandates to be limited to the vulnerable aged care sector now Australia has such a high vaccination rate.
‘Those most in danger of dying from Covid are those who are older with underlying health problems,’ Professor Collignon said.
‘We still need people to wear masks around the elderly but the rest of society is a very different situation.’
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute paediatrician Fiona Russell said the rule was unnecessary as children were at the lowest risk of hospitalisation or death.
Professor Russell said the World Health Organisation would soon release advice that would see both adults and children follow the same mask rules.
Epidemiologist Dr Catherine Bennett argued that parents could still enforce masks within their own households without a mandate.
Dr Bennett said though vaccination rates were lower in primary schools there was no evidence to suggest infection rates were higher in that age group.
Teachers and school staff are required to wear masks in all primary schools and early learning centres.
In NSW, all primary and secondary school staff are required to wear masks.
Professor Peter Collignon (pictured) has called for vaccine and mask mandates to be limited to the vulnerable aged care sector now Australia has such a high vaccination rate
Teachers in NSW and Victoria are required to wear masks in all primary schools and early learning centres (pictured, students arrive to a primary school in Carlton, Victoria)
Secondary school students are also required to mask-up while primary-aged students are ‘strongly recommended’ to wear them.
However, both these rules will be scrapped by the end of the month.
‘The judgement has been made and I think many teachers would support it,’ Mr Andrews said of Victoria’s school rules.
‘It’s a lot easier to get kids in Year 1 or 2 or 3 to get them to wear the masks properly than kids who are a bit older.’
Epidemiologist Dr Catherine Bennett (pictured) argued that parents could still enforce masks within their own households without a mandate
Mr Andrews said he had ‘deja vu’ from when he announced playgrounds would be banned for young children in 2021.
‘We’re talking about human behaviour and we’re talking about complex issues,’ the premier told reporters on Tuesday.
‘Very rarely have we been able to point to any one specific measure and attribute a number of cases or an amount of spread to that one public health rule.’
In response to being asked if he thought the mandate was proportionate given the low rates of sickness or death in that age group, Mr Andrews pointed to the spread of the virus to the vulnerable.
‘Well, you mightn’t get sick from it, but you can give it to Grandma, you can give it to someone who’s had cancer, you can give it to someone who’s got asthma,’ he said.
From 11.59pm on Friday, masks will only be mandatory on public transport and taxis, in airports, hospitals, and indoor areas of aged care facilities.
While masks for most people will no longer be required, workers in prisons, courts, shops, and hospitality must wear them on duty.
People working indoors at an event with more than 30,000 people attending In special circumstances, such as if they have Covid or are a close contact and are leaving home, must also wear a mask.
From 11:59pm on Friday, masks will only be mandatory on public transport and taxis, in airports, hospitals, and indoor areas of aged care facilities (pictured, students in NSW)
‘Same rules as Sydney, masks off and people back in the office this week,’ Mr Andrews said as he announced the easing of rules on Wednesday (pictured, students in Melbourne)
Masks are recommended but not required for workers serving or facing other people, such as at receptions, or meeting guests or serving customers.
People travelling on public transport and planes will be required to wear face coverings at all times, as will taxi and ride-share services.
The public health recommendation for Victorians to work or study from home will also be removed so staff can return to the office.
‘Same rules as Sydney, masks off and people back in the office this week,’ Mr Andrews said as he announced the easing of rules.
‘We will have masks off inside and people will be coming back to work. That means there are literally no rules.’
